The Tenby Observer Weekly List of Visitors and Directory

RESIGNATION OF MR; BESANT, OF THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. Mr Besant, who for more than 20 years has held the office of divisional superintendent of the South Wales division of the Great Western Railway, has just resigned his position on account of ill-health. Mr Besant has been more than fifty years in the service. He began at Paddington Station, and next received an appointment at Bristol. In 1850, when the South Wales Railway was opened;: he was appointed station-master at Bridgend. Then he was moved to a similar position, at Swansea, afterwards to Haverfordwest, the line being,finished as far as that place, and subsequently to New Mil- ford when that was made the terminus. Next he succeeded Mr Kelly as superintendent at Reading, and 20 years ago succeeded Mr Kelly as divisional superintendent at Swansea. Mr Besant was held in universal respect, and the intelligence of the severance of his long and honourable connection with the Great Western Railway will be received in commercial and trading circles with much regret.

TEMPERANCE DEMONSTRATION. Oil Thursday evening a great temperapce demon- stration was held in Tenby. At six o'clock the various temperance organizations met in the South various temperance organizations met in the South Parade, where they were formed in procession, and accompanied by two bands of music, perambulated; the principal streets of the 4own, returning to the Royal; Assembly Rooms. The procession was headed by Mr E. Watson, Chairman of the Tenby y United Temperance. League, accompanied by the Rev. James Buckley (Vicar of Llandaff), the Rev. G. H. Camburn (Wesleyan). and Mr Benjamin Pearson Chick of the Western Temperance League. About 800 persons were in the procession, the large majority being children of the Bands of Hope con- nected with the different places of worship in Tenby. At eight o'clock the Royal Assembly Rooms were nearly filled, and the Rev. B. Lewis having opened with prayer, The Chairman said their demonstration had been a grand success, but it was not (he thought) their wish only to demonstrate, but to go further and see some practical good come out of the demonstration. It might be a very good means of stimulating them to more work, each one trying to be more and more heartily engaged in the cause they had so near their hearts. Much had been done in the past by the different societies in the town, and much was trying to be accomplished now by the Temperance Council which represented them all. He referred with pride to the position he occupied as president of that Council, and having thanked the ladies of the committee for their kind assistance and encourage- ment, called upon Mr Chick (who was cordially welcomed). Having expressed his pleasure at being present, referred to the part ladies were taking in the work, and said if it were not for their influence, power, and effec- tive work in connection with the great temperance reform everywhere, the temperance movement would have been leagues further back than it was. None had a greater interest in the sobriety of the nation than the mothers, wives and daughters of Christian England. In this great national work the daughters of our country ought to be to the front, and he thanked God they had come out in their strength, and among those who were foremost ■were the ladies in Tenby, who had given their time, means and heart to this grand movement. (Ap- plause.) He congratulated them on the work of that day. He thought it spoke volumes for the interest, life and vitality of the temperance cause, that on a beautiful summer's afternoon in a fashion- able watering-place, such a grand demonstration could be held; and in the evening, when every natural influence beckoned them outside to enjoy all the grand aroma which rises from nature in this beautiful season, so many had gathered to that hall to hear words in connection with this cause. There were many indications of the great and rapid pro- gress and mighty power of this work, to which their attention would be called later on. At the chil- dren's meeting they held that evening, the thought suggested to him that he should that night, plead the temperance cause on behalf of the children. For their sake they wanted help, influence, and example. The demonstration showed to those en- gaged in the trade, what the future difficulties with which they will have to contend will be. When those boys and girls from their bands of hope, rechabite tents, and juvenile templars, developed into men and women, and under the Divine blessing of God retained a firm grasp of temperance princi- ples, then would the downfall of the drink traffic become more rapid. (Applause). The Rev. J. R. Buckley, Vicar of Llandaff, said it had given him very great pleasure to accept the invitation to be present. He ought first to join Mr Chick in words of congratulation upon the splendid success of their demonstration. He knew full well from experience what a difficult matter it was to get a large number of people together at this time of year. No doubt it was very much greater in a place which offered so many outside attractions as the Brighton of Wales. But any surprise he may have felt was removed by a knowledge of the fact that the work was fostered and sustained by Christian gentlewomen, who themselves set a noble example of total abstinence and showed they really had their hearts in the movement. He did not forget they were well supported by the president of their council. It was a matter of congratulation that a gentleman of Mr Watson's position should be found willing and anxious to spend and be spent in the Master's services. (Applause.) Throughout the length and breadth of this land an enormous sum of money, almost beyond human calculation, was wasted every year upon intoxicating drink. It has been shown if this stream could be arrested for a single year they could, with the money so spent, place thirty-five sovereigns on every letter in the English JBible. If expended in building, every working-man in the country would have a roof of his own. If spent in manufacturing clothing every working-man would have a good coat upon his back. Notwithstanding this waste, there were encouragements in the work they all had so much at heart. The Chancellor of the Exchequer recently noted with satisfaction that there had been a falling off in the consumption of spiritous liquors. In recent years, owing to organizations like that re- presented at the meeting, there had been a diminu- tion of public-houses. These were not the only signs. They were to be found in the efforts made to provide better homes for the working-classes, and establish counter attractions to the public- houses. He considered the most hopeful sign was the awakening of public opinion as to the existence and extent of this gigantic evil. (Applause.) One great advantage in the temperance work was men of all shades of religious opinion were able to meet together on the same platform. There was no spirit of jealously or division, but all were ready to stand hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, in driving back the foe. Whether they belonged to the Rechabites, the Good Templars, or the Church of England Temperance Society, their one great ob- ject was to suppress the vice of intemperance in this much favoured and beloved land. He read with pleasure on their placards, "United Tem- perance League," because he believed if thoroughly united their influence would be increasingly felt. He would speak of the Church of England Tem- perance Society merely as a sample of work, and to show that the conscience of Christian England has been thoroughly aroused in this question. It was started about twenty-five years ago. The first ten years it was a total abstinence society; then its basis was enlarged to embrace the general section, • because it was felt there would be some who would wish to support the work, though they felt they could not become total abstainers. They called it the inner and the outer circle. Sir Wilfrid Lawson paid the society a great compliment. He said it was the most important movement in the land, and added that it was divided ip two sections;—ons said, "Do as I do;" acid the other, "Do as I don't." This society now had some.5000 parochial or missipn branches. Their agents were at work in the police courts of London and in other large towns, and encouraging reports were received continually as to the valuable services rendered by them. An important and successful work was going on among soldiers and sailors, and the cabmen of the great metropolis of England. At the last meeting ten cabmen gave addresses, and seven of. them. acknow. lodged they had been rescued from a life of sin and degradation by the Church of England Temperance Society. It was a very touching scene when Canon Ellison on a platform in the city, after giving a retrospect of the work of the society, said, "See what God hath wrought." There were some who asked why they singled this particular vice? Were they not others quite as bad, even worse? The answer had been well given by the Dean of Bangor. Intemperance is the parent vice, the pro- lific root from which other vices spring, and in fighting it they were in reality fighting against vice of every kind. Others said they, put total absti- nence in the room of the Gospel but this stater ment could not be sustained. They knew total abstainers might be unclean, dishonest, or avari- cious; but they did say it was a most important means towards an end. The means, the removal of a terrible stumbling block the end, bringing immortal souls to the cross our Saviour Jesus Christ. (Applause.) When he saw the havoc caused by this demon of intemperance, the wide- spread misery and unhappiuess occasioned by it, he failed to see how any man or woman who had the love of the Lord Jesus Christ burning in their hearts could stand aloof, or look coolly upon, such a work as this. He believed it to be the duty of every professing Christian, and certainly of every- one who ministered in holy things, to fight boldly against this prolific sin. In fighting against this giant evil, he thought they should first of all form a correct estimate and consider the foe, the reason why it was allowed to exist, and the best means to be adopted to put it down. The foe ftself was a very ancient one. They knew as a matter of fact, down through all the centuries it had been waging war against the peace and prosperity of mankind. It assailed the best, the noblest, and bravest of mankind, and marched hellway leading countless victims in its train. It was a most insidious enemy, and in this consisted its greatest danger. It offered its first glass as an innocent gratification, and the habit often grew so powerful that ordinary means were powerless to resist it. This the rev. gentle- man illustrated by relating some touching inci- dents, showing the havoc wrought in families where the drink demon had obtained complete mastery. Continuing, he said the only safe course to take was to abstain altogether. It was also a most destructive foe. Some 60,000 lives were annually sacrificed upon the altar of Bacchus. Among those were many who set out with bright hopes and bril- liant prospects. Were there not many who could say to-day, "No man careth for my soul, to bring me back to the paths which were paths of pleasantness." What of the wholesale poisoning of the native races abroad ? Wherever the Christian missionary went with the Gospel of temperance, love and peace, the British trader followed with gin, rum and brandy. Who did not remember the earnest appeal made by an African chief to our English Queen, begging her not to allow her subjects to bring rum into his dominions, because it was driving his people mad. Nine-tenths of the crime and poverty, half the suicides, a large portion of the insanity and starva- tion in the country could be attributed directly to the use of intoxicating drink. Was there not a solemn duty resting upon the Christian Church to-day to rise up as one man and endeavour to wipe out this dark blot from England's fame. Why was it allowed to exist? Much might be attributed to the power of custom, and a great deal to the belief that it was necessary for health and social enjoy- ment. In fighting it they had a two-fold object; first, to rescue the drunkard and secondly, to pre- vent the young from slipping into the vice. (Ap- plause). The rescue of drunkards was a noble ob- ject. To go to them and raise them out of the abyss and lead them to better things, and in spite of the sneers and opposition of men, help to bring them back to the God that loved them and sent His Son to redeem them. No less meritorious was it to prevent the young from slipping into the vice. They might not be able to save the boatman, when the boat was within a few feet of the cataract- they must get at him higher up the stream. The great object of their temperance societies was to take care of the young. To bring them under the influence of Christian ladies, who would educate them as to the nature and evil of alcohol. How was this to be carried out? First, to be practical they must invoke the aid of legislation and in the second place they must have a Sunday Closing Bill for the whole country. That might appear a very strange utterance coming from one who lived in a neighbourhood where it is said the Sunday Closing Act had failed. When he read those articles in the Western Mail he could not help asking himself this question, could it be possible that a most beneficial measure, intended to promote sobriety and the better observation of God's day of rest, be a curse and not a blessing. But he had been wonderfully re-assured by the evidence taken before the Royal Commission, because that had gone in the direction of extension and certainly not of extinction. He believed the more respectable of the working-classes were in favour of a Sunday Closing Bill for England and Wales. In a certain town were a census was taken it was found that fifty per cent. of the people who objected were persons of no occupation, and this proved that the men of no character were in favour of keeping public-houses open. Clubs of every kind, the rich man's as well as the poor man's—(great applause)-all these must be placed under strict police supervision. Another thing: they must be practical in their work. See what they could do to improve it and use all their in- fluence to attain it. Do all in their power to repeal the licenses now given to grocers. (Applause). This was a most fruitful source of intemperance among women and children. The one thing needed was that they should join to band themselves together in societies, in a spirit of Christian self- sacrifice and love. Self-sacrifice was needed. They wanted more of the spirit of the Roman Catholic priest, who sacrificed his life the other day on the lepers, all for the welfare of his fellow-man (Ap- plause.) In that spirit they ought to go forward I and if there was one present who had not found any society he would urge him to do so at once. Any young man or woman could not do better than become members of that order which bore the honoured name of Rechabites. He trusted the tent at Tenby would soon require to enlarge its place. Those who were zealous in this great cause, he en- I couraged to persevere. He believed the day would yet dawn when the temperance army would return from its victorious campaign, cheered by the blessing of thousands, (Great applause). A number of pledges were taken at the close. Mr Chick delivered a second address in the As- sembly Rooms on Friday evening; and on Sunday at 8 p.m. preached in the same rooms.

{ A NATURALISTS NOTES AROUND TIENBY., THE BIRDS OF THE STACK ROCKS. The Stack Rocket about twenty miles further down the coast from Tenby, are and have been from time.immemorial the annual resort of millions of sea-birds, which arrive in May and leave again with their young: in August. The sight of these rocks in June, when the birds are in greatest num- bers, is. not easily forgotten. The summits and higher ledges are crowded with guillemots and razorbills so thickly that there hardly appears standing room for the birds, much less for their standing room for the birds, much leap for their eggs. Kittiwakes and herring gulls nest on the lower ledges, while a few puffins are said to breed on the top; added to those on the rocks, there is an ever whirling, wheeling cloud of birds on the wing, while thousands upon thousands cover the heaving sea as far as the eye can reach. The guillemot (Uria troile), locally known as "mers," are the most abundant in the immediate vicinity of the H Stacks." At a distance they are not easily distinguished from the razorbill, but on closer examination the difference is very apparent, the beak of the guillemot being sharp, strong and compressed, having the upper mandible slightly curved at the point; head and neck brown black; tail, wings and back being somewhat browner; while the breast and undertail coverts are pure white feet short; legs slender, and placed behind the centre of gravity of the body, so that the birds are hardly able to walk; however, they have little cause for that mode of locomotion, as with the exception of the few weeks spent on the rocks during the breeding season, they are always on the water or on wing. The guillemot lives entirely on fish taken by diving, for which purpose they make quite as much use of their wings as legs; indeed, some naturalists consider only the former are used, for in the true divers (Colgrubidce) the legs are flat and sharp edged, striking backward in diving, so as to expand the webbed foot, which acts as a propeller—while in the guillemot, though the foot is webbed, the legs are nearly round, and therefore some think only the wing is used under water. This species lays but one egg, an unusually large one in proportion to the size of the bird. The egg is sharply pointed at the smaller end; this is one of the distinguishing points between it and that of the razorbill. Its almost impossible to describe the eggs of the guillemot; the variety is endless; the ground colour may' be pure white or cream, or it may be every shade of green, from the faintest tint to the deepest hue. The markings are equally various, being of every shade of brown to black, some marked with pale yellowish brown streakings on a faint green or white ground, covering the egg with a network of lines; sometimes its in the form of a scroll of lines on the large end only, in others the markings and blotches take fantastic shapes. I remember seeing one such where his Satanic Majesty, as pictured, was faithfully repro- duced-tail, horns and all. Occasionally pure white eggs are met with, and some are profusely blotched with deep red brown, while in others the blotches are so merged into one another as to make the egg appear a uniform brown colour. The guille- mot makes no nest, laying its egg on the bare rock, generally choosing the broader shelves, though in some districts their eggs have been noticed on sloping shelves in such positions that it seems the birds were destined never to stir off the egg, for as soon as they did so the eggs invariably rolled over the edge and perished. The male bird attends to the wants of the female, and in consequence is lean and light, while the latter is fat to an extreme The guillemot, unlike the razorbill and puffin, can only carry one fish at a time with the tail projecting. So blinded are they by their affec- tion for their young, that during the week before and week after the little ones are hatched they allow themselves to be easily captured. In the Hebrides they are taken by a lasso of horse-hair stuck to the top of a fishing-rod. As many as 2000, it is stated, are sometimes thus noosed by the men of Pabbay during a single day's raid. If unmolested the guillemot only lays once during the season, but if their eggs are taken they lay two or three times. When their eggs are collected for food, the same helf is often robbed three times, from fourteen to sixteen days being allowed between each lifting. The young guille- mots are about the size of blackbirds when they take to the sea. There is a variety of the common guillemot formerly considered a distinct species, and described as the Ringed or Bridled Guillemot (U. lacrymaus), but its now pretty generally allowed to be only a variety of the species under notice. Anyone having their doubts on the matter should read the notes on the subject in A Fauna of the Outer Hebrides." ( To be continued.) AMPHIBIAN.

THE STRANGE SUICIDE AT CARDIFF. An inquest was held on Monday evening at Cardiff touching the death of James Allen, a hob- bler, aged 55, living at 2, Allen's Conrt, Canal Bank, who committed suicide early on Sunday morning by hanging himself with a piece of clothes- line to the knob of a bedroom door.—Mrs Allen was first examined, and said she went out, and on her return learned that her husband had hanged himself. He was not out of employment; he was a good husband, and he had not previously threatened to destroy himself. However, he had been very strange in his manner of late. He was not in the habit of drinking very much.—A neigh- bour, named Williams, spoke to visiting the house of deceased to have a chat with him. As there was no response to his call on entering, he went upstairs, and found Allen suspended by a rope, and apparently dead. He at once cut him down, and sent for adoctor.-Henry Gold, another neighbour, who had known him for 20 years, said the deceased had lately been under the impression that he was very destitute, or about to become so. On Satur- day evening he asked witness for some money, and witness replied that he had none, and that he ought to go home. "Go home he exclaimed in a wild manner, shaking his head, I will not be alive in another five minutes." Deceased had also told him that he had no food in the house, when he (witness) was well aware he had plenty, and that his cupboard was full. Deceased did not drink very much, but had a dop now and then. He seemed not to care about himself of late.-Dr. Rees gave evidence as to being called in and trying to restore the deceased by means of the electric bat- tery, but without avail. Death was due to strangu- lation.—Verdict accordingly.

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PEARS' BEAUTY SHOW. — After engaging St. James's Hall at considerable expense for a fortnight Messrs. Pears have abandoned their intention of holding a Beauty Show in London in deference to the wishes of so many ladies amongst the general public who have written to them on the subject. Notwithstanding the non-success of similar exhi- bitions upon the Continent, and the admitted deli- cacy requisite for the proper conduct of such an exhibition, Messrs. Pears did not themselves doubt being able to make theirs a success, and nothing but the innumerable requests that it should not be held has induced them to relinquish the undertaking.